Love And Marriage? 25 Vintage Ads Depicting Blatant Sexism

The first thing I feel when I look at these atrocious ads is grateful. Grateful that we are where we are now. Grateful that my daughter is growing up in a world where women are increasingly seen as equal to men. Granted, women still earn something like 75 cents for every dollar a man makes. There is a gender-related wage gap in virtually every occupational category.

And still…

Take a look at the 25 advertisements below and you might also feel grateful to those who went before who beat bloodied hands on glass ceilings to pave the way for us, our daughters and their daughters.

Wives and mothers from sixties and before had it particularly bad. They were prisoners of society’s expectations. How could they ever truly know who they were if they had to conform to what was deemed appropriate feminine behavior?

Thank God I came of age in the age of “You can be anything you want to be” movement. I know sexism and gender inequality is alive and well, but when I look at my daughter the possibilities seem endless. Especially compared to the little girls who grew up seeing advertisements like the ones featured below. Some are so horrible it’s tough to believe they’re real. But they are.

The Little Lady Belongs In The Kitchen 1 of 25

Tell that to my husband, the chef and cook in this household.
Photo credit: Oddee.com

Take the time to read the text on this one... Pretty mind-blowing.
Photo credit: Oddee.com

We All Know Women Can’t Drive 8 of 25

I can drive a stick and my husband can't, suckas! Also, is that Goldie Hawn?
Photo credit: Oddee.com

The Harder She Works The Cuter She Looks 9 of 25

This is probably some form of speed to keep the little woman working nonstop.
Photo credit: Oddee.com

Lysol Feminine Products Can Save Your Marriage 10 of 25

"Often a wife fails to realize that doubts due to one intimate neglect shut her out from happy married love".
Photo credit: Oddee.com

Men Are Better Than Woman 11 of 25

Another mind-blower. Don't beat around the bush, Drummond, tell us how you really feel.
Photo credit: Oddee.com

Someone’s Blowing Smoke All Right… 12 of 25

I know I turn into absolute mush when a man blows smoke in my face. I put out EVERY time!
Photo credit: Oddee.com

Indelicate Women Are Hideous! 13 of 25

Society (men) simply WON'T stand for it, ladies! I haven't put on deodorant yet today... and I'd love to get the dude behind this ad in a sweaty headlock. HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW? HUH? THAT INDELICATE ENOUGH FOR YA?
Photo credit: Oddee.com

All I Want For Christmas Is A… Toaster? 14 of 25

You can take your kitchen appliances and shove it, mister.
Photo credit: Oddee.com

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